Strut insulator connector

ABSTRACT

Outer end of strut insulator is connected to lower end of suspension insulator string by a clevis-eye connector whereby the strut insulator can be readily detached without removing the conductor clamp also connected to the bottom of the suspension insulator string.

United'States Patent inventor Russell E. Vollrer Baltimore, Md.

Appl. No. 45,288

Filed June 11, 1970 Patented Oct. 19, l97l Assignee General Electric Company STRUT INSULATOR CONNECTOR 8 Chills, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 174/45 R,

Int. Cl. ..ll0lb 17/10, H023 7/20 Field of Search l74/40 R,

43,45 R, l4l R, 144, I48, 149 R, 150, l6l R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,002,043 9/1961 Jenner etal. 174/45 R x 3,296,358 1/1967 Fiero et al 4 174/43 3,316,342 4/1967 Cofer 174/45 R OTHER REFERENCES Electrical World, Vol. l69, No. 25, June 17, 1968, page 9. Copy in 174-149 R. 4

Primary Examiner-Laramie E. Askin Attorneys-Sidney Greenberg, J. Wesley Haubner, Frank L.

Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph B. Fonnan ABSTRACT: Outer end of strut insulator is connected to lower end of suspension insulator string by a clevis-eye connector whereby the strut insulator can be readily detached without removing the conductor clamp also connected to the bottom of the suspension insulator string.

, PATENTEDDCT 19 1911 SHEET 1 [1F 2 I ware at the bottom of the suspension insulator string from which the line conductor clamp is also connected. In particular arrangement of this type, the .conductor clamp and the ends of the strut insulator and the suspension insulator string are connected by a common fastening means. As a result, when the fastening means is removed to service or replace the strut insulatonthe conductor clamp with the line conductor attachedthereto is also disconnected from the suspension insulator string, and this prevents the line from being worked on while the conductor is'energized. A further disadvantage in such anarrangement is that to reassemble the device, it is necessary to align the three parts in order to properly attach the fastening means, such as connecting bolt.

It is an object of the invention to provide an insulator connecting device which avoids the above disadvantages of known insulator connecting arrangements.

his a particular object of the invention to provide a strut insulator connecting device of the above type wherein the strut insulator may be readily disconnected from the suspension insulator string to which it is connected without disconnecting the conductor support from the suspension insulator string.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insulator connecting device of the above type which issimple in construction, is readily assembled with the suspension insulator string and provides rigidity in such assembly, and is formed to minimize corona effects in its vicinity.

Other objects and-advantages will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

With the above objects in view, the present invention relates to supporting apparatus for an electrical transmission line comprising an upright support member having a crossarm extending laterally therefrom, elongated suspension insulator means depending from the crossarm and having conductor support means connected thereto at a first connecting junction at the lower end of the suspension insulator means, the first connecting junction having an axis transverse the longitudinal axis of the suspension insulator means, elongated strut insulator means connected at one end to the upright support member 'and'extending transversely therefrom, and elongated connector link means connecting the strut insulator means at its other end to the first connecting junction for holding the suspension insulator means spaced from the upright support member, the connector link means being detachably connected to the other end of the strut insulator means at a second connecting junction having an axis transverse the longitudinal axis of the strut insulator means, whereby the strut insulator means may be disconnected from the suspension insulator means'without disconnecting the conductor support means from the latter insulator means.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a transmission line supporting apparatus in which the invention isembodied;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view in elevation of the strut insulator connecting device shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 2a is a view of the connecting device shown in FIG. 2 as taken in the direction of arrow 2a;

FIG. 3'is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 2 device; and

FIGS. 4, and 6 are respectively top, side, and cross-sectional views (FIG. 6 is a view in the direction of line 6-6 of FIG. 5) in enlarged scale of the connector link member employed in the connecting device shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a supporting apparatus for power transmission lines which comprises an upright support 1, such as a pole or tower member, having a crossarm 2 extending laterally therefrom. Depending from crossarm 2 is a flexible string 3 of suspension insulators 3a, which may be of well'known construction, from which is suspended power line conductor 4-by means of hardware connecting members more fully described below. A'rigid strut-insulator 5 is connected at one end to pole l and at the other end to the suspension insulator assembly, as shown, for holding the latter spaced a predetermined distance from the pole and thereby stabilizing the position of line conductor 4.

The hardware connecting members below insulator string 3 comprise a socket eye member 6 which receives and hangs from the enlarged ball end of pin projecting downwardly from lowermost insulator 3a. The lower portion of socket eye member 6 is perforated for receiving connecting bolt 7, and U-shaped hanger or clevis member 8 (see FIG. 2a) is arranged with arm s straddling socket eye member 6 and has apertures in its arms aligned with the perforation in member 6 for also receiving connecting bolt 7, whereby the parts are held in assembly. Conductor suspension clamp 11, in which line conductor 4 is carried, is hung by means of clevis eye connector 9 and bolt 10 from the bottom of clevis member 8.

In accordance with the invention, the outer end of strut insulator 5 is not connected directly to the suspension insulator assembly, but is connected thereto by means of a connecting link, whereby the strut insulator 5 may be disconnected from the suspension insulator assembly 3 without requiring disconnection of conductor clamp 11 also from the assembly. For this purpose, there is provided in the illustrated embodiment a connecting link member 12 in the form of a clevis eye connec tor which is connected at its closed end to the outer end of the elongated hardware cap 5a of strut insulator 5, and at its open end is connected to the assembly of socket eye member 6 and clevis member 8 by.means of connecting bolt 7, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Bolt 7 thus defines a common connecting joint for clevis member 8, socket eye member 6, and link member 12, wherein the common joint axis extends substantially horizontally transverse the longitudinal axis of the suspension insulator string and the longitudinal axis of the strut insulator.

Cap 5a of strut insulator 5 is in the form of a socket 5b which receives and is secured to the outer end of the strut insulator body and which extends axially therefrom in the form of a clevis with spaced parallel arms 5c, 5d between the outer ends'of which link member 12 is received and connected by bolt 13 passing horizontally through aligned apertures in the assembled parts (FIG. 3). As seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, link member 12 is provided with top and bottom flanges 12a, 12b

extending laterally from opposite sides of member 12 generally along the axis of connecting bolt 13. The top and bottom flanges 12a, 12b on each side are spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the width of strut cap arms 50, 5d such that the latter just fit therebetween. In this way, flanges 12a, 12b serve as stops to prevent relative rotational motion between link member 12 and the arms of strut insulator cap 5a, so as to maintain the desired rigidity of the strut insulator connection to the suspension insulator string. Preferably, flanges 12a, 12b are of rounded form as shown for the purpose of controlling or minimizing corona which might otherwise tend to develop in the region of bolt 13 under operating conditions, in view of the fact that this joint is displaced somewhat from the axisof the suspension insulator string 3 and thereby has somewhat less protection from bottom insulator 3a against corona. The described arrangement provides a number of advantages. In the assembly as shown, the strut connecting link employed in accordance with the invention still maintains the desirable feature of concentrating all loading on the assembly at a single load center, i.e., at the connecting joint at bolt 7.

This feature is advantageous in that it prevents extraneous assembly, and since the holes in only two parts, i.e., strut insulator cap'Sa and connector link 12, need to be aligned for insertion of connecting bolt 13. v

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Supporting apparatus for an electrical transmission line comprising, in combination, an upright support member having a crossarm extending laterally therefrom, elongated suspension insulator means depending from said crossarm and having conductor support means connected thereto at a first connecting junction at the lower end of said suspension insulator means, said first connecting junction having a first axis transverse the longitudinal axis of said suspension insulator means, elongated strut insulator means connected at one end of said upright support member and extending transversely therefrom, and elongated connector link means connecting said strut insulator means at its other end to said first connecting junction for holding said suspension insulator means spaced from said upright support member, said connector link means being detachably connected to said other end of said strut insulator means at a second connecting junction having-a second axis transverse the longitudinal axis of said strut insulator means, whereby the strut insulator means may be disconnected from the suspension insulator means without disconnecting the conductor support means from the latter insulator means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a first bolt at said first connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said suspension insulator means, conduc-- tor support means, and connector link means, and a second bolt at said second connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said connector link means and strut insulator means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means comprising an elongated arm portion connected to said connector link means at said second connecting junction, said connector link means having'a pairof spaced-flanges extending transversely thereof and straddling said elongated arm portion at said second connecting junction for restraining relative rotational movement between said arm portion and said connector link'means about said second axis.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said flanges having rounded peripheral portions for controlling corona in the vicinity of said second connecting junction under operating conditions.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means comprising elongated spaced arms, said connector link means comprising a clevis member having one end interfitting 7 between said spaced arms of said strut insulator means at said second connecting junction, a bolt at the latter junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said clevis member and said spaced arms of said strut insulator means,

said clevis member being formed with spaced flanges extending from opposite sides thereof at said second connecting junction and straddling both said anns for restraining relative rotational movement between said arms and said clevis member about said axis of said second connecting junction.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means having elongated spaced arms extending therefrom,

said connector li nk means comprising a clevis member having one end rnterfittrng between said spaced arms of said strut insulator means at said second connecting junction, and having a bifurcated portion at its other end in assembly with said suspension insulator means and said conductor support means at said first connecting junction, a first bolt at said first connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said suspension insulator means, conductor support means, and clevis member, and a second bolt at said second connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said clevis member and said spaced arms of said strut insulator means, said clevis member being formed with spaced flanges extending from opposite sides thereof at said second connecting and straddling both said arms of said strut insulator means for restraining relative rotational movement between said arms and said clevis member about said axis of said second connecting junction.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said second axis being substantially horizontal, said connector link means and said strut insulator means having apertures aligned along said second axis and being detachably connected by only one bolt extending along said second axis.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including stop means for restraining relative rotational movement between said strut insulator means and said connector link means about said second axis.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 61 1, 292 Dated October 19, 1971 Inventor(s) Russell E 0 VOlKQI It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 4, line 37 after "oonnecting the word "junction" should be inserted.

Signed and sealed this th day of April 1 972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestinsz Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. Supporting apparatus for an electrical transmission line comprising, in combination, an upright support member having a crossarm extending laterally therefrom, elongated suspension insulator means depending from said crossarm and having conductor support means connected thereto at a first connecting junction at the lower end of said suspension insulator means, said first connecting junction having a first axis transverse the longitudinal axis of said suspension insulator means, elongated strut insulator means connected at one end of said upright support member and extending transversely therefrom, and elongated connector link means connecting said strut insulator means at its other end to said first connecting junction for holding said suspension insulator means spaced from said upright support member, said connector link means being detachably connected to said other end of said strut insulator means at a second connecting junction having a second axis transverse the longitudinal axis of said strut insulator means, whereby the strut insulator means may be disconnected from the suspension insulator means without disconnecting the conductor support means from the latter insulator means.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a first bolt at said first connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said suspension insulator means, conductOr support means, and connector link means, and a second bolt at said second connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said connector link means and strut insulator means.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means comprising an elongated arm portion connected to said connector link means at said second connecting junction, said connector link means having a pair of spaced flanges extending transversely thereof and straddling said elongated arm portion at said second connecting junction for restraining relative rotational movement between said arm portion and said connector link means about said second axis.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said flanges having rounded peripheral portions for controlling corona in the vicinity of said second connecting junction under operating conditions.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means comprising elongated spaced arms, said connector link means comprising a clevis member having one end interfitting between said spaced arms of said strut insulator means at said second connecting junction, a bolt at the latter junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said clevis member and said spaced arms of said strut insulator means, said clevis member being formed with spaced flanges extending from opposite sides thereof at said second connecting junction and straddling both said arms for restraining relative rotational movement between said arms and said clevis member about said axis of said second connecting junction.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said strut insulator means having elongated spaced arms extending therefrom, said connector link means comprising a clevis member having one end interfitting between said spaced arms of said strut insulator means at said second connecting junction, and having a bifurcated portion at its other end in assembly with said suspension insulator means and said conductor support means at said first connecting junction, a first bolt at said first connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said suspension insulator means, conductor support means, and clevis member, and a second bolt at said second connecting junction extending along the axis thereof and interconnecting said clevis member and said spaced arms of said strut insulator means, said clevis member being formed with spaced flanges extending from opposite sides thereof at said second connecting and straddling both said arms of said strut insulator means for restraining relative rotational movement between said arms and said clevis member about said axis of said second connecting junction.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said second axis being substantially horizontal, said connector link means and said strut insulator means having apertures aligned along said second axis and being detachably connected by only one bolt extending along said second axis.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including stop means for restraining relative rotational movement between said strut insulator means and said connector link means about said second axis. 